The Arizona Coyotes’ greatest strength has taken a big hit

The acquisition of Taylor Hall addressed a weakness for the Arizona Coyotes, but now their greatest strength has been thinned by injuries.

The acquisition of forward Taylor Hall from the New Jersey Devils in mid-December was an all-in move by the Arizona Coyotes to address a need for scoring punch. The 2018 Hart Trophy winner has delivered solidly, scoring six points in nine games with a point in three of the last four games.

The Coyotes are 5-5 in their last 10 games, as they are staying afloat in a tightening Pacific Division race. But after losing Darcy Kuemper to a lower body injury against the Minnesota Wild on Dec. 19, No. 2 goaltender Antti Raanta pulled himself from last Saturday’s game with a lower body injury of his own. Adin Hill was recalled from the Tucson Roadrunners in the AHL to fill the spot left by Kuemper’s absence, and after Raanta’s injury Ivan Prosvetov was called up on Sunday.

All four goaltenders will be with the team at the start of an upcoming three-game road trip, which could be seen as a good sign regarding the status of the injured veterans.

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Hill is in line to start Tuesday night against Florida though.

The Coyotes enter Monday’s action allowing the third-fewest goals in the NHL (2.5 per game), along with the second-best save percentage in the league (.922). A high level of play between the pipes has been a critical component in that stifling of opposing offenses, with the 10th-most shots on goal allowed in the league (32.1 per game). Of course not all shots are created equal, but Kuemper and Raanta turning away a high volume of pucks is still notable.

Initial reports suggest Raanta’s injury is not too serious, and Kuemper was able to skate over the weekend. Definitive word on either is not really likely before they’re declared available, but ideally head coach Rick Tocchet won’t have to turn to the younger AHL call-ups in goal for more than game or two.